Prayerful start to a new year

Today, all our Child Services Staff returned to campus to begin preparing for the start of a new school year. We met in the chapel mid-morning to start our year off with prayer.

There’s a real excitement and energy when people return from summer break, refreshed and rearing to go. I enjoyed shaking hands and greeting folks outside the chapel entrance as they arrived.

Besides the Child Services Staff, there are many on our team who work year-round to take care of maintenance, fundraising, admissions and planning. We all gathered together. It takes such a diverse crew to keep St. Joseph’s going, and today was a day to celebrate and appreciate what each team member adds to the school.

During our prayer service, I acknowledged all the different work groups on campus and filled people in on the highlights of what has happened here over the summer.

I also gave everyone a health update, so I could say it once rather than 90 times. While I still have some healing to go, I think I’ll heal best by getting involved in this community of staff and students and the work I love. I got a huge hand when I simply said, “It so good to be back.”

While dropping off some items at the school, I stopped in at third grade teacher Kim’s classroom. She told me about finishing her Master’s degree over the summer, specializing in reading and math. She was happy to report that we’re already doing many of the practices the schools are recommending in those areas.

We try hard to keep up on best practices and implement them when possible.

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Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.
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Yeppers..It’s the beginning of a new year that portends to be another successful one.
Forgive us, Father, for we have sinned. We envy you..!
We are so happy and we feel so privileged to know all of you, and we feel you are the best of friends that we could ever have.
In humility and with Love and Prayers..
Mia and Bob

I was always taught, by my parents;
“ACTION SPEAKS MUCH LOUDER THAN WORDS”;…
The only thing I can say is that the RESULTS, of the GREATNESS, or,ACTIONS of YOURSELF, Fr. Steve;….
don’t just SPEAK LOUDER, they have painted a
BEAUTIFUL BEGINNING, for so many. I PRAY for your better health each day; I know our PRAYERS will be answered completely.
GOD BLESS’-
Cynthia

JMJ / MMM 12 August 2010 100812
Dear Fr Steve —
May God’s Blessing be on everyone and everything during your school year. I taught for 37 years high school and, yes, after each summer break there was excitement and newness and freshness each time we began a new school year. I was very blessed to have worked among good peers and good administrators.
Blessing to you all! John

As a child and as a former teacher I remember well the excitement of returning to school. There is little in the year that can surpass it! But this school year, returning to classes will be extra special for all involved because of Fr. Steve’s improvement in health. What a beautiful example for all of God’s loving presence in our lives!